Tuesday, January 19, 2016

So we’re slowly getting ready for the Great Escape, which will be… *thinks*
in 12 days. I think. Can’t clutter up the brain with too much just yet.
There have been a few little things to sort out up to this point. Wanted a
micro SD card so I can transfer photos to my tablet. Done. Wanted some way of
keeping an eye on the place when we’re away. Done.
That one was a bit more involved.
Just before Christmas, while on a little shopping foray at Costco,
Travelling Companion and I picked up a Lorex camera/security system. Or
whatever you call it.
I’ve only been looking at them passively for a couple years now. Couldn't
seem to pull the trigger, and T.C. said, “Oh, just get it!”.
That’s usually good motivation.
The interface is a bit clunky, and reminds me somewhat of the Honeywell
system we had to endure once upon a time when I was more than just a “Caretaker”
in name. It was really not intuitive. At least Lorex do have a support
network, and I was able to chat with two different technicians whilst trying to
figure stuff out.
There’s an “app” for IPAD, as well as a program for PC. So I can sit here,
log in, and not be bothered to get up off my lazy arse to see who’s at the
door. *snort*!

Oh, and son-in-law and Daughter Number Two were over last night for dinner,
and he installed an app for the TV downstairs that allows me to see what’s going
on without getting off my….OK, never mind.

Hooking up the system involved running wires in conduit that I had installed
(wait for it) back when we had new soffits installed in the summer of 2014. I
had a plan.
And yes I know, it takes me a while to do these “jobs”. Did I not say I had
been looking at systems? Just couldn't decide. Take it easy.
There are six cameras, but eight channels. Is that like the “hot dog vs bun
count” thing? Why not have eight cameras? I might pick up one or two at some
point if I feel the need.

Running the wires for the last camera on the west side of the house was a bit
of a challenge, as I really wanted to run the wire through the narrow gap
between the ceiling and the roof. Damned near impossible really, except that I
had a moment of clarity.

I went to the table saw and made a “bobbin” for the end of the fish tape,
which I was able to feed down through the rafters. Or maybe it was more like
a “shuttle”, that you’d see being used by a weaver? I don’t know.
Whatever you call it, (stick o’ wood?), it worked.
Felt rather smug about that one.
Of course, I also fished through a string to be left behind in case I want
to pull another wire. Just one of those things. Really rather important.

So that’s about it.
T.C. and I are heading out today to drop a small bundle on proper footwear
for our stay in Maui. There’ll be a certain amount of walking I suspect. My
el-cheapo runners that I bought at Wal*Mart in Gillette, Wyoming last June
aren’t really suited for anything more than clambering about on the deck of a
boat, or maybe a brief hike off to the grocery store.
You gets what you pays for.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

I’ll lay off the former for a time, and will likely have considerably less
of the latter.
We had 22 for Christmas Dinner on Christmas Eve.

The usual setup. Put up an extra table. Set up extra chairs. We’ve been
doing “buffet style” for the last few years. Much more civilized. Find your
own spot. No complaints you missed out on something, it’s all there in the
kitchen.
This is the only time we wish we had a slightly bigger first floor. A bit
busy. All adults really, even though there used to be a “kids table”, I think
the youngest kid is possibly 19 or 20 by now. No more kids table.
Some are now finished University, and gainfully employed. Time
flies.
And now it’s 2016.
Happy New Year.
We also had a host of overnight guests. Thankfully there’s enough bedrooms,
bathrooms etc. Not everyone is underfoot. Nice to have overnight
guests. Sometimes nice when they’re all packed up and gone too.
Travelling Companion made a lot of breakfasts. Some were more prompt at
having breakfast than others. We won’t go there. I appreciate that you like to
sleep in, just be reasonable.

We did have a four legged guest on Christmas Day. Daughter Number Two and
Hubby didn’t want to leave our Dog-in-law at home for the day. He’s excited to
see you, even if he’s only gone outside for five minutes and then comes back in
again, (what is that with dogs?) but he’s now seven, and a well behaved dog.
Of course, he knows exactly where he is in the “alpha dog” order of things.
Way down there, trust me.
Here’s a little secret, I’m the “alpha dog” around here. And that’s
that.

We had mostly a green Christmas, but then did get a bit of sloppy white stuff
on the 29th.

It disappeared, and hasn’t come back. Been too warm.
I can dig it. Winter ain’t over. Not by a long shot.
We haven’t started the countdown just yet, but I’ll be digging out the
suitcases soon enough.

Meanwhile, I’ll be mucking around with a couple little projects that never
seem to end.